Friday, May 28, 2010

A few days ago, a friend of mine asked for suggestions of various specialized catalogs of Latin American stamps. I suspect there may be other collectors who might be interested in these so I’m posting a list of catalogs I have used and found very helpful. For some countries, I am not aware of any specialized catalogs although excellent handbooks are known. (Guatemala 1 & 2 for example) I have not attempted to list magazine articles or small pamphlets that detail various issues, as they are not really specialized catalogs. Here is the list and if anyone can add information on those countries that do not appear to have a specialized catalog, I would appreciate it.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

In the Bill Welch collection of Seebeck material, he had a postal stationery card with a security overprint.

Bill felt this was probably done in 1881 when the stamps were overprinted with a network pattern in rose or yellow for security but the card was not accepted. Neither he nor I have ever seen another. Has any reader?

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

In the aftermath of the War of the Pacific, no stamps were available, so postage on this letter was paid in cash. (FRANCO por falta de estampillas) The cover was sent from the Pacasmayo, Guadelope and Yonan Railroad to Callao in November 1884.